St James’s Chamber Orchestra
Matthew Taylor conductor
Edvard Grieg Holberg Suite
Jean Sibelius Impromptu
Jean Sibelius Suite for Violin and Strings
Dag Wirén Serenade for Strings
This beautifully crafted programme explores the rich heritage of Scandinavian composition, from Grieg’s elegant Holberg Suite, a charming homage to the Baroque era, through to Sibelius’s lyrical Impromptu and his evocative Suite for Violin and Strings, to Dag Wirén’s radiant Serenade for Strings, one of the most beloved works in the string orchestra repertoire.
The St James’s Chamber Orchestra is dedicated to providing a platform for early-career musicians while expanding the orchestral repertoire through its own publishing house. Drawn from fifteen nationalities, with more than a quarter of its members Ukrainian, the Orchestra harnesses the transformative power of music to bring hope and healing to children affected by war. In partnership with War Child and Humanity & Inclusion UK, the Orchestra dedicates 1,000 volunteer hours each season to raise funds for trauma counselling and prosthetic care for Ukrainian children. The Orchestra is currently undertaking an ambitious J.S. Bach Cycle featuring twelve world première performances, all being filmed and released on YouTube to share this unique musical journey with audiences worldwide.